He's all fluff

SAN ANGELO, Texas - He's gone from being a small-stage comedian to the Latino television comedy show "Que Locos" and NBC's "Last Comic Standing." Now he's touring the United States on his very own Fluffy Shop Tour. Whatever venue he's in, Gabriel Iglesias brings his unique style of comedy to fans of all ages.

The California-born, Hawaiian shirt-wearing "Fluffy" guy performs live Tuesday at the San Angelo City Auditorium with some good, clean fun.

Iglesias draws much of his comedic inspiration from his personal life, talking about friends, families and his own antics. His impressions paint a picture of his life experiences, and his sound effects and facial expressions add to the hilarity at hand.

His Web site, fluffyguy.com, features "The Fluffy Shop a clothing line for fluffy people," and sells T-shirts with sayings such as "America's Next Top Gordo" and "Fridge Raiders" in sizes up to 6X.

Despite his rising popularity, Iglesias says he's still a down-to-earth guy who enjoys hanging out with his friends, whose mom is his biggest fan and who enjoys interaction with the fans who have helped him become one of comedy's rising stars.

"I'll hang out until the end, pretty much," Iglesias said in a recent telephone interview. "I've been doing it pretty much since — always."

"It gives my audience a chance to see that I'm a regular guy minus the microphone."

Fans are encouraged to pose for a free photo with the comedian and then invited to his Web site to view them.

On social networking and keeping up with his fans, Iglesias admits to having a Facebook fan page, but stays more focused on MySpace.

"I see MySpace like last year's hot chick. They didn't give me any attention, and now I'm all over it."

Iglesias recently sat down for a telephone interview with the Standard-Times:

Question: Your last name is Iglesias. Do people ask you if you're related to Julio? Does it bother you?

Iglesias: I got it a lot when I was growing up. Later on, it turned into "Are you related to Enrique?" No, it doesn't bother me.

You do a lot of impressions, and fans love them. Which one is your favorite?

My favorite is the girl. It always freaks people out.

One of your fan favorites and most watched seems to be "the racist gift basket," which was done as a gag for a fellow comedian and friend, G. Reily. Do you get a lot of flak for that one?

You know, that's actually is one of the most risqué ones I have. No, I don't get flack, I actually get a lot of gift baskets now that contain a lot of stereotypical Latino items in them.

You talk a lot about your friend, Martin. Who is he?

He's actually the emcee of the show. He'll be there with me in San Angelo, so everyone can see who he actually is.

You were a guest on "Family Guy." Did you get to play yourself?

No, I played someone else. It was an episode where Peter Griffin (the main character) finds out that he's a Mexican and travels to Mexico.

I played his Dad, his uncle and all of the other Mexican roles. It was like "Mexican Affirmative Action Week."

What should San Angelo expect when "Fluffy" hits the stage?

The most high energy, fun and interactive show around — from the minute you come in and sit down to the time you leave, you're going to be entertained.